A beautiful Victorian school house completely reimagined within, set in a pretty Bedfordshire village
This beautifully-remodelled former village school blends historical stonework with fresh, bright interiors. Lydia Stangroom takes a look.

It's not often that the inside of a home creates such a contrast with its exterior as in the case of The Old School Works, in the Bedfordshire village of Aspley Guise, near Woburn. The house was once the old village school: built in 1847, it existed as a school until 1940 and was used as a shelter for children from the local area during World War Two, after which it became an engineering factory before being exquisitely (if not painstakingly) renovated in 2008.
The six year project transformed this well-used building, steeped in history with period features and original stonework, into a unique and spacious home which is now on the market with Michael Graham for £1,875,000.
The Grade II-listed, four bed, three bathroom home sits in a 0.36 acre rural setting, surrounded by paddocks, woodland and open countryside. The main house is comprised of 4,600 sq ft of adaptable living space with a show-stopping 52 ft open plan living/dining area which is flooded with natural light, emphasised by tall ceilings and restored mullioned stone windows.
A traditional sandstone fireplace in the sitting area contrasts beautifully with the steel and glass showstopper staircase that leads to a snug / TV room on the mezzanine floor.
The kitchen/breakfast room is designed to ensure a natural, balanced flow throughout the downstairs space, perfect for families and entertaining as it opens onto a private rear courtyard and comes with further planning permission for an orangery if desired.
The kitchen is a perfect example of old blending with new, using traditional materials such as oak units and granite surfaces in a contemporary style with a multitude of high-tech appliances hidden behind for a clean finish.
Upstairs in the newer part of the house is the master bedroom, which boasts exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling, with an en-suite bathroom (complete with a free standing bath) and dressing area. The three other bedrooms are located in the old school teachers' area of the property and can be accessed via a separate front door.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Two are on the ground floor with views out onto the garden and the other is an en-suite on the first floor with windows either end to the room to allow for as much natural light as possible. There's also a 480 sq ft self-contained annexe, suitable as guest accommodation, a small granny flat or maybe even a home office.
The Old School Works is for sale at £1,875,000 via Michael Graham — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Aspley Guise: What you need to know
Location: Located in West Bedfordshire. 11 miles from Milton Keynes and 2 miles from Junction 13 on the M1.
Atmosphere: An attractive, rural village with a Thai restaurant and gastro pub. 1.5 miles from Woburn Sands which has a range of shops and amenities.
Things to do: Situated perfectly within rural countryside but close to shops and amenities, not least the famous Woburn Safari Park. Golfers are well catered for: the Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands Golf course is close by, while the world-renowned Woburn club is a short drive away. Milton Keynes is also situated nearby, home to one of Europe's largest indoor covered shopping areas, indoor skiiing and fast rail links to London.
Schools: Aspley Guise has its own primary school, Ofsted-rated as outstanding.
Find more property in Aspley Guise
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Ford Focus ST: So long, and thanks for all the fun
From November, the Ford Focus will be no more. We say goodbye to the ultimate boy racer.
By Matthew MacConnell Published
-
‘If Portmeirion began life as an oddity, it has evolved into something of a phenomenon’: Celebrating a century of Britain’s most eccentric village
A romantic experiment surrounded by the natural majesty of North Wales, Portmeirion began life as an oddity, but has evolved into an architectural phenomenon kept alive by dedication.
By Ben Lerwill Published
-
A mini estate in Kent that's so lovely it once featured in Simon Schama's 'History of Britain'
The Paper Mill estate is a picture-postcard in the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Hidden excellence in a £7.5 million north London home
Behind the traditional façades of Provost Road, you will find something very special.
By James Fisher Published
-
Sip tea and laugh at your neighbours in this seaside Norfolk home with a watchtower
On Cliff Hill in Gorleston, one home is taller than all the others. It could be yours.
By James Fisher Published
-
A Grecian masterpiece that might be one of the nation's finest homes comes up for sale in Kent
Grade I-listed Holwood House sits in 40 acres of private parkland just 15 miles from central London. It is spectacular.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Some of the finest landscapes in the North of England with a 12-bedroom home attached
Upper House in Derbyshire shows why the Kinder landscape was worth fighting for.
By James Fisher Published
-
Could Gruber's Antiques from Paddington 2 be your new Notting Hill home?
It was the home of Mr Gruber and his antiques in the film, but in the real world, Alice's Antiques could be yours.
By James Fisher Published
-
What should 1.5 million new homes look like?
The King's recent visit to Nansledan with the Prime Minister gives us a clue as to Labour's plans, but what are the benefits of traditional architecture? And can they solve a housing crisis?
By Lucy Denton Published
-
Welcome to the modern party barn, where disco balls are 'non-negotiable'
A party barn is the ultimate good-time utopia, devoid of the toil of a home gym or the practicalities of a home office. Modern efforts are a world away from the draughty, hay-bales-and-a-hi-fi set-up of yesteryear.
By Madeleine Silver Published